One of the best things to come out of all those lockdowns was the boom in new independent businesses – and our new-found appreciation for those based on our doorsteps.
There are brilliant creators dotted all over the north west, but Oldham has got a vast array of crafters and stockists selling handmade gifts that won’t break the bank.
One of those does exactly what it says in the tin – Gifts Under a Tenner sells a massive range of gifts all priced under £10.
It was founded as an online shop in 2016 by former police officer Diane Barlow, who went on to become a fixture at Royton market.
Diane says: “Despite the name people will still say, ‘what, everything is under £10?’
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“It’s a buzz because people are happy, they can buy anything they want and that’s my main philosophy: I want them to be able to pick something up and know they can afford it.”
She says the market was her ‘baby’ between 2017 and 2021, but had to give it up and decided to focus on the shop she and a former colleague opened in Chorley in 2019.
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It’s now expanded into the unit next door where they mostly sell gorgeous wooden toys, as well as gifts ranging from a trinket dish (£2.95), scarves (£5.95) and a ceramic light-up Christmas house (£9.99), as well as personalised Christmas ornaments.
Diane continues: “It’s crazy because every day without fail, even in the summer, I get people saying, ‘I’m coming back at Christmas’ and people do, because they’re beautiful stocking-fillers and a lot of them show you care without spending a lot of money.”
For people who can’t make it to the store her products are also available online, where Diane is passionate about supporting others like her.
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“My Instagram hashtags are all about buying local and supporting small businesses and I’ve started finding independent suppliers because it’s important to me to keep them going. Covid had a massive effect on everyone – a lot of shops and market traders have gone. It’s important to buy local, it really is.”
Based in Chadderton is author and illustrator J C Perry, who has penned five books suitable for ages four to eight, which are available online for around £6.99.
Many of the books feature landscapes that will be familiar to Oldham residents.
She says: “I try to use local scenes, so Dove Stone Reservoir is in I Am a Stone; the tall house in Tom’s Zombie Fright is actually our house, and the tree in The Best Nest is based on one in the cemetery next to us.
“They might not be recognisable to everyone but they’re scenes from where I live and the illustrations have all got a flavour of Saddleworth and Oldham.”
As well as celebrating the borough in print, she also hopes to inspire the next generation of young storytellers with her writing and drawing workshops at libraries.
“Growing up I can’t think of a local children’s author – the ones that visited school didn’t have local accents, they were from London. It’s good for local kids to see an author from the area – in the back of my books I always say where I’m from and it might inspire them to pick up their pen and write a story.”
The self-published writer has a sixth book out in December just in time for Christmas, with several more planned for 2023.
Carolyn Hollinshead is another local business owner who says the encouragement from customers and fellow stallholders at local markets gave her the push to take the leap. She applied to makers’ markets, which led to a spot at Oldham Council’s pop-up shop last year.
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“It’s hard work and I’m learning as I go along but there’s been proud moments,” says Carolyn, a mum of four. “Like when I was asked to do Oldham Made I thought, ‘oh someone’s interested in my things!’”
Beespoke Gifts by Carolyn in Oldham. Credit: Supplied
Beespoke Gifts by Carolyn was born out of lockdown, and a keyring-making activity she and two of her kids did – she soon branched out into jewellery and sourcing items made of slate and wood, candles, and maps of Greater Manchester, which she customises with the worker bee symbol.
She says: “It happened by accident but it’s my little thing now and I have a real passion for it. The feedback I’ve had is that they’re tasteful and unique and I can personalise them, so if you want that special touch there’s that option so they’re a little more thoughtful.”
Carolyn’s affordable handcrafts can be ordered via Facebook and are also stocked at Whispers hair salon in Shaw and at the Little Owl Farm near Delph, which will be transformed into a Christmas shop throughout the weekends in December.
“It’s really important to support local people because I know how much hard work it is – to buy something from a small business as opposed to going into a big shop means so much more.”
Featured image: Supplied
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A dedicated anime, movie and gaming concert with a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all self-proclaimed otakus, cinephiles and gamers: a huge concert experience will see dozens of musicians bring classic anime, film and gaming soundtracks and scores to life later this year, right here in Manchester.
The city is no stranger to events celebrating these beloved kinds of media, but you’ll struggle to find another bringing all of them together in one place.
Brought to us Mancs by KIN Music Entertainment, a locally founded arts, events and music label, this celebration of all things pop culture – and specifically, the music tied to it.
Entitled ‘The Kin & Fushigi Anime, Film & Videogame Orchestra’, this passionate collective serves as not only a platform for rising artists but also to hear some iconic sonic moments like never before.
KIN have created a large-scale live concert experience which will bring together a 25-piece pop orchestra made up of emerging professional performers and conservatoire graduates.
Aside from the impressive total of people behind this production to begin with, they also form an immersive hybrid orchestral and live band capable of bringing.
Speaking on the upcoming date, KIN Entertainment said in a statement: “We wanted to create the kind of live experience that many anime and videogame fans in Manchester have been waiting for — something cinematic, emotional and community-driven that brings these sound worlds to life with the energy of both an orchestra and a live band.”
Kin was founded by bassist, composer and ensemble performer Alejandro Urbina Diaz, who first brought his talents and wider interests over from Mexico to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) here in the city centre at the age of 23.
Citing Manchester’s multiculturalism and cosmopolitan cultural fabric as a big part of his inspiration, he and his team have ended up carving out this niche for themselves, and now they’ll be playing this beloved music to Mancs at none other than the O2 Ritz.
Credit: KIN Music Entertainment (supplied via Academy Music Group Digital)
With new arrangements inspired by anime, cinematic and videogame culture, not to mention orchestral and even rock crossover twists – including both vocalist and rhythm sections, by the way – it’s set to be a highly unique experience that most will have never come across before.
This event itself is suitable for audiences aged 14+, although under-16s must be accompanied by an adult, and it’s taking place at the Ritz on Sunday, 26 July.
We’re not going to spoil any more details about the show for you, so which particular pieces of pop culture they reference will just have to be a surprise…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AMG Digital)
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You can now get Deep South-inspired BBQ dishes on Manchester’s Deansgate
Daisy Jackson
There’s a brand-new menu of smokehouse-style BBQ dishes being served up on a sunny terrace on Deansgate.
Motley, the neighbourhood bar and restaurant on the corner of John Dalton Street, has added an authentic smoker to its kitchen.
That means they’ve got a whole load of new dishes, slow-cooked over hickory wood, that are bringing a taste of a Deep South BBQ to Manchester city centre.
The smokehouse-style meats are all seasoned in-house and cooked for hours, for a perfect fall-off-the-bone experience.
It might be an authentic American smokehouse menu, but it’s firmly British too, with most products locally sourced.
You can now get Deep South-inspired BBQ dishes on Deansgate / Credit: The Manc Group
Motley are calling on local suppliers like Althams Butchers (established since 1856) for their meat, plus greengrocers R Noone and Son, and Cheshire Farm for their real dairy ice cream.
Signature dishes on the new menu at Motley include slow smoked brisket, seasoned in Motley’s signature rub before being slow-smoked for more than eight hours.
There’s also a beef short rib with a chimichurri sauce, and a pork belly strip that’s seasoned with sage and onion and finished with a panko breadcrumb crust.
And for the veggies, there’s a vegan smoked veg kebab with courgette, mushrooms, bell pepper, sweet corn and red onion drizzled with homemade BBQ sauce.
Motley has added an authentic smoker to its kitchen / Credit: The Manc Group
Prices across the board start from just £16, served with beef dripping fries, rainbow slaw, pickles and homemade beef gravy.
As for small plates, you can expect short rib bonbons, homemade corn bread, spicy chicken wings, bang bang cauliflower, mac and cheese, and frickles.
House favourites like steak, vegetable hash, salads, and burgers will remain on the Motley menu.
Victor Gonzalez, food and beverage manager at Motley, said: “Our new signature smoked dishes are all crafted and seasoned in-house then slow cooked for hours over hickory wood to create rich and smoky melt-in-your mouth flavours.
“From our slow-smoked brisket to our home-made sides, everything has been carefully crafted to bring an authentic taste of the deep south to Manchester and we can’t wait for guests to try it.”
Motley can be found at 2 John Dalton Street on the corner of Deansgate in the city centre.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd November 2022 
